The Scottish Parliament’s Equalities and Human Rights Committee has published a new report on how the Scottish Parliament can further promote and embed human rights. You can read the report in full here.

The Committee’s report shows support for the incorporation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Child into Scots law. The Committee states: “We wholeheartedly welcome the Scottish Government’s commitment to incorporate the principles of the UNCRC into domestic law and we identify this as a priority for this parliamentary session."

The report also recommends that further action is taken to ensure the participation of children and young people in Scotland’s democratic institutions. The report states that, “Greater efforts are needed to ensure that younger children’s voices, and children’s voices in general, are heard by the Parliament.”

At Staf we are working to ensure that the voice of care leavers is heard and that everyone involved in their lives support them in fully realising their human rights.

Staf Chief Executive Norma Corlette said:

“We agree with the Scottish Parliament’s Equality and Human Rights Committee that the commitment to incorporation of the UNCRC in Scots law is very welcome.

“We also wholeheartedly agree with the Committee’s recommendations on ensuring the participation of children and young people in our democracy.

“However, in developing new ways of ensuring young people are heard by our democratic institutions, we must ensure that efforts are made to include the voice of care experienced young people.

“Staf is committed to a Scotland where every child and young person can fully realise their human rights – regardless of care experience.”

Read more here about how we're supporting care leavers to realise their rights.

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